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IndyCar extends deal with Dallara to reduce costs to teams

IndyCar's deal with Dallara could cut costs to teams by about 1 percent. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The Izod IndyCar Series has taken the next step in reducing costs for its teams by working an agreement with Dallara to extend a parts reduction initiative until March 15, 2014.

Last season, Dallara agreed to reduce the cost of parts by 14 percent through the end of the 2013 season, so that deal runs another six months to get teams stocked for the 2014 season.

IndyCar officials estimate the savings will be about $50,000 per full-season entry, or about 1 percent in a $5 million budget.

The cost of the parts on the more expensive DW12 was divisive between team owners and IndyCar, one of the issues that contributed to Randy Bernard's demise as CEO.

IndyCar also is cutting the number of test days in an effort to help teams save money. Preseason testing is being trimmed from six days to two, and engine manufacturers are being held to two such tests before the first race in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 24. Tire allotments for these tests are being cut in half.